Pastoral Visit of His Excellency Rt. Rev. Dr. Robert Michael Miranda of Gulbarga Diocese to St. Francis of Assisi Church, Halbarga, Bidar:-
24th August was an auspicious day for the Anugraha Ashram, Church And School as Rt. Rev. Dr. Robert Michael Miranda officially visited the parish and the school. His Excellency arrived here at 9.30 a.m. and baptized 79 persons, 37 people received first holy community and 52 received confirmation from the hands of bishop. A day long ceremony from 9.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. did not tire the bishop. At 6 p.m. he left for the new sub-station at Kon-Melkunda and had a prayer service and saw the possibilities of having a new chapel. On 25th morning he celebrated mass at Sneha Sadan convent of DSS sisters and at 9.30 he met the staff and students of Anugraha School and was marveled to see the top discipline of the students. He congratulated the principal and all the staff for the excellent education they impart to the tiny tots and requested the children to up to the top line. At 4 p.m. he went to Siddeshwara and celebrated “gudi habba” feast of the chapel and returned late in the evening. On 26th morning he celebrated Eucharist at Anugraha chapel and held a meeting of all the Capuchins and Sisters of Sneha Sadan Convent to review the missionary work and suggested several new areas of apostolate. Bishop declared the new substation at Kon-Melkunda dedicated to St. Padre Pio, a Capuchin at the request of the Capuchin friars working at Halbarga. He left us at 10.30 a.m.